CAMDEN – Lourdes pediatrician Emmanuel Frederick Ashong will receive the March of Dimes’ Born to Shine award at the organization’s annual gala on Oct. 23. The award honors local top physicians in the fields of maternal and child health.
In practice at Lourdes since 1991, Ashong is the director of Medical Education at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center. He also serves as medical director at Osborn Family Health Center, Lourdes’ primary care center for the indigent and underserved of Camden.
“Dr. Ashong has been caring for impoverished children and teaching young physicians how compassion and dignity are the centers of medicine for decades,” says Alexander J. Hatala, president and chief executive officer of the Lourdes Health System. “He is truly deserving of this award and we are honored to have Dr. Ashong as part of our team. His clinical excellence and compassion shine through.”
Ashong is a staunch advocate of ensuring healthcare access to all as well as immunizing children against disease. He collaborates with parents on how to provide guidance to young children.
“I am humbled and honored to receive this award,” says Ashong. “I truly believe that children are our most important resource. No child should be denied the opportunity to grow up, flourish and become an effective contributor to the community. I try to be a voice for them.”
Serving on statewide medical education committees and the recipient of numerous teaching awards, Ashong has a master’s degree in Public Health from Harvard University. He graduated with distinction from the University of Ghana Medical School and completed his residencies at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana and Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn. He completed a clinical fellowship in ambulatory care pediatrics at Kings County.
Ashong, who became a U.S. citizen in 1999, says his experience with an empowering teacher and Peace Corps volunteer in the 1960s always remained with him and influences how he cares for his patients.
“The experience challenged me as a young boy growing up in Ghana to work hard and change the world. I hope to better the health and lives of children, our most important resource, each and every day.”
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